As the western year of 2018 comes to an end, many will be engaging in the tradition of making "New Year's Resolutions". It may be that some repeat the same "resolution" every year with varying degrees of success in remaining resolute/steadfast/unwavering in their promise to either do something different, or not do something habitual...such as stopping smoking, committing to more exercise, study, quality time with family, finding a new job, going to worship consistently and so on. Some may go beyond...to being resolute, determined to "make the world a better place" not a platitude, but a plan of action.

​This week, Christmas week for many-(Christmas celebrations have different dates for different Christian communities spanning the 12 Holy Nights from Christmas Eve until the Feast of the Three Kings on January 6)-I am drawing from a history all should know but most have never been exposed to...about a group of committed, conscionable young Germans who stood resolute in the face of constant danger, against the forces of Fascism, the rise of the Nazis, their dictator, the Gestapo (the enforcers) and the submission and support of Hitler by the majority of their fellow citizens. They remained steadfast in their mission even during their imprisonment and violent executions. The Nazis tried to erase their actions and identities but one member escaped with documents and a few photos retrieved as testimony to their courageous and noble efforts against the mighty force and evils of Fascism. Their lives and deaths, are a testament to what is possible when a few brave, "good" people stand up for what they know is "right". Theirs is one of the shining examples of remaining resolute and expanding the capability of our human spirit. They called themselves: The White Rose.

"The White Rose" was organized by university (mostly medical) students who spoke out against Hitler and the Nazi regime. The founder, Hans Scholl, was a former member of Hitler Youth who was horrified with Nazi ideology once its real aims became apparent to him. As a student at the University of Munich in 1940-41, he met two Roman Catholic men of letters who redirected his life. Turning from medicine to religion, philosophy, and the arts, Hans Scholl gatheredlike-minded friends and his sister, Sophie Scholl, who also despised the Nazis, and the "White Rose" was created. Even though they were constantly watched, they managed to compose, print and distribute leaflets citing examples of brutality, hypocrisy and the evils of Hitler and the Nazis. They exposed the atrocities against Jewish, Roma people and against the Polish nobility. They reminded people of the great thinkers throughout history and included quotations from philosophers and called for "Resistance". They published and distributed six leaflets throughout Germany. One of these leaflets was smuggled out of Germany

The White Rose was motivated by the highest ethical and moral principles and urged "non-violent" protest which ultimately was crushed by brutal violence against them. During the distribution at night by members of The White Rose, someone saw them leave the leaflets and reported this to the Gestapo who immediately arrested seven members of The White Rose. Hans and his sister, Sophie Scholl were among them. (see photos below)

After interrogation by the Gestapo, a hastily assembled "People's Tribunal Court" found them 'guilty' and the Nazi regime pushed for a speedy execution and no report in any media since these were young, bright, intelligent, Christian German citizens who were against the reigning Nazi regime. Most of the transcripts of the court hearing were destroyed or "lost" but the last words of Hans Scholl were "Long Live Freedom" as recorded by more than one witness who survived the war. Other members were arrested and most received long prison sentences or were transported to concentration camps where they perished.

No one knew for certain exactly how many members and supporters of The White Rose there actually were. The White Rose tracts, later distributed throughout Germany and occupied Europe, brought hope and encouragement to prisoners and subjugated peoples.The final White Rose leaflet was intercepted by Allied forces, with the result that, in the autumn of 1943, millions of copies were dropped over Germany by Allied aircraft. Unfortunately by time this happened the main founders of The White Rose had been tortured and executed by guillotine, by the German Gestapo.

However, one surviving member who was arrested, interrogated and then released (probably, she says, because she was already a "war widow" at 29 years old-her young husband was killed on the Russian front) was able to speak about her role and her acquaintance with the Scholl family. Her name was Lilo Furst-Ramdoor. She was born on October 11, 1913 and died at the age of 99 years on May 13, 2013. There have been a few books in German and English about The White Rose with varying degrees of accuracy. Most would be described as historical docudramas. A film was made about Sophie Scholl's life. It is entitled: "Sophie Scholl-The Final Days". This film was not released until 2005, in Germany-60 years after World War II ended in Germany. The film received positive reviews for the writing and performances. https://123movies.show/sophie-scholl-the-final-days/

The White Rose members were the true non-violent "Anti Fascists" and I feel certain they would not recognize nor support the current "Antifa" groups which claim to be anti-fascist, but have no tangible, accurate idea or understanding of what real "fascism" is and how it manifests. Moreover, many participants of these "Antifa movements" and protests which have led to violence, were paid to protest by organizations funded by the billionaire disruptor, Hungarian born, Nazi sympathizer, George Soros. Their tactics against those they target are extremely "fascist", disruptive, emotional and even violent.

Antifa groups do not appeal to reason or urge following noble ideals. They more closely resemble the actions of the "Brownshirts" during the rise and infiltration of the Nazis in Germany in the 1930s and 1940s. (see photo above) Moreover, the "psychological warfare and double speak" Antifa employs by claiming anyone, any movement, any organization they target is "a fascist" twists and contrives a mindset which obscures their real agenda. It is deliberately confusing to name call in order to hide the fact that they are projecting and re-inventing a term that once was understood to be specific, powerful and nefarious. Actual Fascist examples include the dictators Adolf Hitler of the Third Reich in Germany, and General Francisco Franco who created a military, Fascist dictatorship in Spain. These regimes were ruthless and targeted their own citizens.

The "Open Society", "MoveOn.org", "Black Lives Matter" and "Antifa" groups are funded by people and organizations (mostly with money from George Soros-see links below) who seemingly support chaos, out of which they then will come in to "restore order" in a methodical, fascist process. They promote censorship (PC, thought "policing") gun confiscation, loss of individual liberties and property, of those deemed politically (according to them) incorrect and therefore "dangerous". But they are the real danger. They also support "Islamofascism" in the form of promoting punishment for any criticism of Islam to be "hate speech", "Islamophobic" and "racist". They fund pro Sharia law groups generously. They work for laws against free speech. Be aware and alert!

In 2014, Soros openly admitted on CNN that the Open Society Foundation was involved in the violent overthrow of Ukraine’s government, which resulted in Russia banning Soros and his NGOs from the country the following year.“Merkel’s plan” to inundate Europe with Muslims is also George Soros’ plan, as he openly admits himself."In January 2017, an initiative called Stop Operation Soros (SOS) was launched in the Balkan nation of Macedonia to counter the influence of globalist billionaire George Soros.The founder of the group called on all “free-minded citizens” to join them in the “fight against one-mindedness in the civil sector, which is devised and led by George Soros”, reports a Slovenian newspaper.Soros-funded non-government organizations have monopolized civil society in Macedonia and used their influence to suppress dissenting views by violent means in that country, said SOS co-founder Nikola Srbov." www.yogaesoteric.net/content.aspx?lang=EN&item=14861​"A May 2016 internal report of the International Migration Institute (IMI), an official project of Soros’ Open Society Foundation, boasted of providing the funding for the Sutherland Report, the blueprint for Europe’s migration catastrophe authored by Goldman Sachs billionaire Sir Peter Sutherland, now the UN secretary-general’s special representative on international migration. The same report by top IMI staffers Anna Crowley and Kate Rosin, entitled Migration Governance and Enforcement Portfolio Review calls for “accepting the current crisis as the new normal”. Soros also provides funding for the Columbia Global Policy Initiative (CGPI) at Columbia University, which hosts the secretariat for Peter Sutherland’s UN migration office."

"A September 27, 2007 e-mail from John Podesta to Soros, Peter Lewis, Steve Bing, and other left-wing billionaires outlined his plans for parlaying the vast network they had financed into a media “echo chamber” that would “control the political discourse”."Several thousand hacked e-mails released by WikiLeaks and DCLeaks have provided plenty of condemning evidence to justify initiating a whole series of investigations into “Lord of Chaos”. George Soros and his Open Society Foundation were convicted of insider trading and exposed for money laundering. Not surprisingly, the controlled establishment media has almost completely ignored this, prompting an editorial from Investor’s Business Daily entitled The Bizarre Media Blackout of Hacked George Soros Documents." www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203476804576614442587262696

The Financial Times just announced their pick for "Person of the Year" would be George Soros. I wonder how much that title cost? www.ft.com/soros

"Soros-funded, arch-left-wing groups, coupled with the Hamas/Muslim Brotherhood front group CAIR (The Council on American–Islamic Relations), are all in blatant violation(s) of America's non-profit IRS regulations, when such Soros bankrolled leftist groups pay mobs of thugs to riot, attack conservatives, and I fear, will also support the likes of lurking Hamas & ISIS sleepers in co-plotting domestic terrorist attacks, based on their duel blind hatred for the American voters, for defeating a continuation of anti-American agenda of Obama, in the victory election of President Trump. " www.thenewamerican.com/culture/biography/item/25189-george-soros-the-god-who-should-be-jailed​"Soros is in charge of a massive continuing criminal enterprise dedicated to America’s destruction. If there truly were justice in the world, Soros would be arrested and OSF assets would be seized under RICO. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. And for once, Soros’ billions would be put to good use." canadafreepress.com/article/george-soros-open-society-foundations-just-became-the-second-largest-in-the

Whatever your resolutions this year - be they on a purely personal level, a micro or macro level action- be steadfast and alert and know you can be guided, protected, directed always-if you are resolute in your search for truth and integrity.

I am including a beautiful, original song entitled: "STEADFAST" by Sandra McCracken who was a singer my son Denali introduced me to when he was alive. Her words/lyrics are timeless, her voice clear and her message uplifting. Go ahead click on the link and listen/watch for three minutes: www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5PGwsgYrCs​Enjoy your holidays, your family-if you are able to be with them- my daughter is climbing a mountain in New Zealand, and I am far away from anyone I know here in China, but it is my choice for this year. May you keep your resolutions, your celebrations and your memories.

Closing with a photo of my son Denali in Karahenj, Armenia. He asked for his photo to be posed with the sun illuminating him from behind and his facial features less discernible in the sunlight. I took the photo in the Fall of 2008, and share it with you. It is the sixth Christmas/New Year's we are without Denali. It does not get easier but we persevere, stay steadfast and resolute.